So here it goes, in my best English I have
Just some background, all my Adv bikes so far was big bikes. GSA 1200, 1200 Triumph, 1190R, 1290R and 1250GSA. Rode them on gravel no problems, hulle gery dat hulle kak actually maar anyways. Good gravel roads, decent 2 spoor paatjies etc, going into rough stuff where there aint any paths to follow, or there straight into the bush with the 2 strokes bikes, those roads I always avoided, or try to avoid, on the big Adv bikes. Firstly, if it falls over, its big bucks.
So now the 790. I dont even know now what it weighs at the moment. Never checked. Cause weight on paper to me means 0.
On the pics I saw, it always looked light weight. Well my 990 SM is easier to move around than this 790
So getting on the bike and feeling the weight was a bit of surprise to me, its heavier than it looks. But the moment you start moving, it feels like a 100kg bike
If you move down from a 1290 to a 790, few things to remember. And yes I know its kak to compare the two, but anyways.
1. Wind protection on the 790 is 0. The R screen is there to keep the bugs of your speedo
2. Its light. The 1290 feels solid and planted on the road, the 790 not. Meaning, I rode in PE wind today, and I was blown all over the road.
3. Cant compare 1290 power with this. BUT, the 790 still has enough grunt to get you into kak
4. Cruising 200kph on the 790 wont happen. You can, but you wont enjoy it. You will be too busy keeping it in the road. Lekka speed is around 160. And it does that with ease!
5. If you ride in the rain, you will get WET. On the bike Adv bikes not so much
6. 790 seat is hard. Dont expect a gomma gomma seat. But not so hard that your balls will turn blue after 150km.
Difference came in when the dirt road started. Point and shoot, it was feeling as if Im riding on a tar road! The suspension is amazing. This bike will let you ride gravel without you even knowing it.
Close to my house is big open fields. I jumped the curb and off I went. There is no 2 spoor nothing, just grass. I was riding around 100kph, just looking out for kak in the grass. It soaked all the bumps up, traction was good. Changing direction was just a flick of the bike side to side. The open field ended, I crossed the road and into another one. There was a single path walked out by pedestrians. The path was going zig zag as they walk around stuff in the veld. I made a note to stay in the path, picking up speed. And it did just that. Eventually it started power sliding and going through the air over the sand humps, all with ease. I ended up in a area that I did not even know
It felt as if Im on a MX bike with just added flickers on
.
The quickshifter is smooth.
Power delivery is instant.
In Rally mode the throttle response is so sensitive I had to switch to Street mode throttle response.
80 kph in 6th gear, wack open throttle and see the speed climb! No need to gear down.
It lifts the front wheel into a wheelie in 1st and 2nd, 3rd gear wheelies needs work with the clutch
Fastest I went this afternoon 160. Got there rapid fast. Flicking through the gears with QS makes the 0-100 feel like 2 seconds
All and all its a great bike. Doing off road type riding, I think its an amazing bike, and you will search far and wide to get something better.
Can you commute with this. YES. The size etc gets you easier through the cars. And there is ENOUGH power.
Can you pillion? Man, I think so, but wont recommend this. I wont....
Can you tour with this bike. If you intend to do 500km a day Tar riding for a longweekend, I will rather take my 1250
Afternoon ride, showed a decent 18.9 km per liter
Honestly, if you need a all in 1 bike. Pillion, touring, side panners, 5 star comfort, long distance km everyday, wind protection, I think the 850GSA will be better.
Did I make the right choice not to buy the 850GSA? YES!!!
Will I buy a 850 GSA, NO
Will I trade my 1190 or 1290 in on a 790? YES.
Of all my bikes I have ever owned, I think this one will let you play and go crazy on it like no other
Its a very forgiving bike. If you kame a mistake on it, you will be able to survive. Make a mistake a the 1290 or 1250, and you will go down.
This is the bike that will take me places, where I was always feeling too kak to take the big Adv bikes.
Riding my 1250 through Elandsrivierpoort, I managed, but that little voice in your head keeps on saying, eish bra, you are now raping this machine through the ditches and over the rocks..
The 790 will scream MORE MORE MORE
Topic: My 790 with some Updates. (Read 14860 times)
